THE LAST DAY OF US
I was still sleeping when suddenly
my hand phone rang. The ring tone broke the silence of the night. I slid off my bed and quickly accepted the
call. It was so weird to get a call at the wee hours of the morning. I heard
the voice at the other end of the line and uncertain who the caller was. With
the voice of a sleepy girl I ask;
“Hello, who are you? And what do
you want from me?” my eyes looked very weary and gaunt.
“Rose, it’s me Hayden. You’re
free?”
That was the weirdest question
ever. Free, at this late of night? Did he lose his mind? I thought twice after
that. Well, he is my best friend. I mean the only friend that I had. I used to
be and I’m still a nerd, silence and an unpredictable girl, I supposed. And
reluctantly I’m agreed to accompany him to the cinema. But wait! A movie at
this hour? I’m going to sleep thereafter arrived.
“What movie should we watch,
Hayden?” my mouth ask something but my eyes looked definitely misty. I’m obviously
sleepy.
“The Last Day of Us. It’s an
interesting story someone told me. I must watch it while I have my time”.
‘While I have my time’. That word
was awkward and cold. This is not Hayden that I’ve known before. Yet his smile was creepy and he’s smile and
smile and the smile just couldn’t find the way to stop. He used to be in love
with the inhumanity, violent and rough movie but this night, about affection?
“You seemed so emotional, aren’t
you? What’s wrong? Is it about the movie? It touched your heart or you have
other problem?” I smirk. What’s get into him?
“Nothing, it just that I felt what
the actor felt, to sense a loss.” And he smiled again while wiping his tears
from his eyes. He’s crying? That was very peculiar and yes it is.
It was 2 o’clock in the morning.
While the residents of the town were dreaming about something good and the kids
were flying their body to the Neverland but Hayden and I were drowning
ourselves walking through the sidewalk with coldness of the air. I can’t almost
breathe in the air but Hayden was abnormal as he was still smiling. That was
totally freakish.
“Hey Rose, let’s jump into the
river like we used to do before. Are you coming with me?” his eyebrows were up
and down rapidly. The only question that flown into my mind was, ‘is he
insane?’
“It’s cool down there, man. I’m not
going to end my life with die shivering in this iced-cold river” my eyes ogled
at him. Didn’t he notice that the river was too cool to swim with and the
weather was definitely not suitable?
And yes he did. He did swim at the
iced-cold river but never for me. I’m being his accompanying that time. He
seemed so weird. He never likes this before. I mean, being too peculiar and
want to do something that was unpredictable to do for a normal human being. As
he took a step off from the river, his face looked very pale and gaunt. But he
hid it with a widely-sweet looking smile. I couldn’t figure out why he did that.
“You look very pale, Hayden. Are
you okay?” I said, concerned about him.
“I’m okay. Hundred-per cent okay.
Let’s hike that hill and watch the sunset. Let’s go!”
I’m sure his in hurry, definitely.
I didn’t get the chance to answer his ‘question’ but his already hiking the
hill and yes I had to follow him. No doubt.
We sat together at the top of the
hill. Waiting for the beautiful sun to rise up. The view was extremely miracle
and outstanding. I never knew there was a personable panoramic in this gloomy
city. But now that I’ve known, with no hesitate I’m totally will run off to
this place every day.
“If I’m gone someday, will you
promise me something? Will you take a good care of my family and my fiancée?
Will you?”
After quiet sometimes we were in a
silence mood, he started to make a conversation. His smile did nothing to
conceal his bleak and depressing demeanour. I saw sorrow on his face. What’s
turning him into this?!
“What are you talking about, man? I
couldn’t understand. Why are you acting so weird just now and now?” I just
didn’t satisfy with this unexplained situation.
“I repeat, will you help me?”
without a blink of eyes, he said strictly.
I nodded. Very slowly.
“Promise me, you will take care of
them?” his hoping again.
“Come on, man. What’s up with all
this? This is so strange and freaky! You make me nerve, you know”
“Just answer me! Will you promise
me?” he looked emphatically at me.
I nodded, again.
“Thanks, I appreciated it. A
promise will always be a promise and don’t you ever break it” he smiled and then
he lay down while his both hand withstand his head.
I can’t stop thinking what exactly
the meaning behind what he had said. It’s too mysterious and beyond the
expectations.
Few minutes later, I realised that
I’ve fall asleep and so do Hayden. It’s a minutes left to a sunset and I
quickly wake him up. But my effort failed. I try and try again but nothing
happened. I started to panic.
I checked his pulse but nothing
seemed to move. Later I knew that he’s gone. He had leaved me and would never
come back. Tears fall down slowly and dramatically from my eyes. I sat down
beside his dead body. Startled with this shocking situation. I never expected
that his weird and strange behaviour could turn into this grief. I was rattled. As he gone, the sun rises up
and shines itself.
The days flew by. Now I knew that
Hayden had been diagnosed with end-stage cancer and there was nothing the doctors
could do. And the movie we watched together was the last movie for us. The
morning freezing walk at the sideway was the last walk for us. The moment we
spend together at the iced-cold river was the last moment for us. The
sunset-watch at the top of the hill was the last panoramic view for us. Yet,
that was the last day of us. Rest in peace, Hayden Vandem.
Aainaa Narilsa
